Chamoli (Uttarakhand): The Army has recovered the body of another individual who was missing following the avalanche near Mana village in Chamoli district on February 28, bringing the death toll to five. Rescuers are still searching for three more missing persons. The recovered body is being transported to Mana post, according to a Defence PRO in Dehradun.
The ongoing search and rescue efforts involve multiple agencies, including the Army, ITBP, Air Force, NDRF, and SDRF, as noted by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami this morning. He mentioned that they are using ground-penetrating radar, thermal imaging cameras, and victim-locating cameras to assist in locating the missing workers.
While weather conditions in the region are improving, the risk of further avalanches remains high, leading authorities to suspend operations in high-altitude areas as a safety measure. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari stated earlier today that doctors confirmed four deaths; the total number of workers involved was initially 55, but it has been adjusted to 54, as one worker was found to be on unauthorized leave and is safe at home.
Additionally, Indian Air Force officials reported that a Mi-17 helicopter has deployed a drone-based Intelligent Buried Object detection system to aid in the search efforts in the avalanche-affected areas of Chamoli. IAF Cheetah helicopters have been actively involved in rescue operations in the Mana area since Saturday after the avalanche occurred at the BRO camp near Mana village in Joshimath on February 28.